The governing body of world motorsport has undergone a total restructuring process, with the dismissal of Michael Masi as Formula 1 race director as the most talked about move.
Instead, the FIA chose a combined system at the Grand Circus, where Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas take turns on racing weekends, but it’s not the only change affecting the top flight.
In a statement issued on the morning of April 15, 2022, the international federation confirmed that Gian Carlo Minardi would become the new president of the Single-Seater Commission. The Italian, according to the FIA, has been chosen after an electronic voting process by the World Motor Sport Council.
The Minardi surname is well known in Formula 1, since it is about the businessman who carved out a niche for himself on the grid with a team that has seen the birth of stars such as Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. .
His history in motorsport dates back to the end of the 1960s, when he began competing in mountain races and rallies, although soon after he moved on to managing teams in Formula Italia. His successful path led him to start activity in the highest category in 1985, with a partnership with Ferrari for the supply of engines.
The Italian team was present in Formula 1 until 2005, but in 2001 it was acquired by Paul Stoddart , becoming Toro Rosso in 2006, and since the 2020 season it has been known as AlphaTauri, the Red Bull subsidiary, still operating from the original factory in Faenza.
Gian Carlo Minardi has been president of the Automobile Club d’Italia Land Speed Records Commission since 2004, and in 2020 he was elected to the same position at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the venue for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which will take place on April 24.
The 74-year-old businessman will oversee the Single-Seater Commission , which has been instrumental in reshaping the FIA’s junior racing, while also introducing innovative technological improvements for safety in recent times.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem had his say on the appointment: “I very much welcome the election of Gian Carlo Minardi as President of the Single-Seater Commission, he is a very important figure in motorsport. I look forward to working with him to continue developing the pyramid of single-seaters around the world”.
